Stylemaker Spotlight: Palmer Weiss

STYLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT: Palmer Weiss

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, March 29, 2009

Designer Palmer Weiss photographed in San Francsico on Thursday, March 19, 2009.

Designer Palmer Weiss photographed in San Francsico on Thursday, March 19, 2009.

Photo: Eric Luse, The Chronicle

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one of palmer weiss' favorite things:?For a luxurious splurge, these linens are unsurpassed in their exquisite design and range of colors available. It is like having a piece of artwork on your bed, but they are comfortable and durable as well.?? less

one of palmer weiss' favorite things:?For a luxurious splurge, these linens are unsurpassed in their exquisite design and range of colors available. It is like having a piece of artwork on your bed, but they ... more

Photo: Kirsten Beckerman, Paper Doll House

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Mid-century Lucite ram's head lamp: ?I grabbed this out of a bag of rejects at a local antique store and paid next to nothing for it. In addition to being a great bargain, I love the style and design of the shiny brass and Lucite. Plus, I am an Aries so the astrological nod is very fitting!'' less

Mid-century Lucite ram's head lamp: ?I grabbed this out of a bag of rejects at a local antique store and paid next to nothing for it. In addition to being a great bargain, I love the style and design of the ... more

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One of designer Palmer Weiss' favorite things: ?Of all elements in design, textiles are my passion. The Raoul fabric line is one of my favorites for their incredible color combinations and whimsical bohemian take on florals and paisleys.?? (raoultextiles.com)? less

One of designer Palmer Weiss' favorite things: ?Of all elements in design, textiles are my passion. The Raoul fabric line is one of my favorites for their incredible color combinations and whimsical bohemian ... more

Photo: Mathew Millman

Stylemaker Spotlight: Palmer Weiss

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Because Palmer Weiss has an MBA from Northwestern University on her resume, people might assume she spends her days analyzing stocks or consulting for a corporation. But she can usually be found reviewing textile samples, searching for furniture and helping clients navigate through myriad design decisions.

Eight years ago, Weiss - who was raised in Charleston, S.C. - left retail merchandising to try her hand at design. Immediately upon launching her own firm (palmerweiss.com), several of her former co-workers signed up as clients. Until last year, when Weiss was featured in Domino magazine, all of her clients came through referrals.

"I truly wanted to find a job I loved and felt passionate about, and feel lucky that I did just that," she said. "I love working with all of the incredibly talented tradespeople - from electricians to decorative painters. I also love the mix of creativity and business skills required because it feeds my left brain/right brain schizophrenia."

Weiss described her home in the Richmond District as "Charleston classic with a fresh California twist; there is plenty of color and pattern and a blend of time periods," she said. "For instance, in my living room, I have my grandmother's English chest, an espresso Christopher Spitzmiller lamp, a CB2 acrylic console table and robin's egg blue walls."

Next month, she makes her debut at the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, where she is designing a teenage girl's bedroom; children's spaces are considered a subspecialty of hers. "Having two small kids of my own," Weiss said, "definitely gives me an innate appreciation for all of the related decorating challenges that family life presents."

A few favorites

Leontine linens: "For a luxurious splurge, these linens are unsurpassed in their exquisite design and range of colors available. It is like having a piece of artwork on your bed, but they are comfortable and durable as well." (leontinelinens.com)

Midcentury Lucite ram's head lamp: "I grabbed this out of a bag of rejects at a local antique store and paid next to nothing for it. In addition to being a great bargain, I love the style and design of the shiny brass and Lucite. Plus, I am an Aries so the astrological nod is very fitting!"

Raoul textiles: "Of all elements in design, textiles are my passion. The Raoul fabric line is one of my favorites for their incredible color combinations and whimsical bohemian take on florals and paisleys." (raoultextiles.com)

The Weiss cheat sheet

Shop locally: "I highly recommend the Silk Trading Company (silktrading.com). You can walk out with a room's worth of robin's egg blue silk - no wait for dye lot cuttings or shipping from Europe - for $29 per yard. Another one I love is the midcentury furnishings store Monument (monument.1stdibs.com). I am not nearly as funky as these guys are, but they have the most incredible eye and I love virtually everything in both of their locations."

Clutter control: "My standby is a skirted table in an entryway. You can customize the piece to fit your needs exactly. I have even measured the husband's shoes to make sure they will just fit. I love a shelf for mail and handbags, and bins below for shoes and backpacks. You can leave the top free of clutter and place flowers, pretty objects and family photos."

Kid-friendly fabrics: "There are so many outdoor fabrics these days that are a great option for kids. However, they are not a panacea and you will greatly improve your odds of having stain-free furniture if you add color and pattern. I also love synthetic leather these days and recently did the front of dining chairs in a family house in that fabric, and they literally wipe them right down after every meal with the kids. If in doubt, I always recommend testing the sample swatch. I have been known to pour ketchup on fabric, write on them with markers or even work in red wine to see if I can get it out before I order for upholstery."

Color tip: "Oftentimes, I like to play with tone-on-tone of vibrant colors. For instance, in a green and yellow room, I might use both Kelly green and a lighter chartreuse green for depth."

What's splurge-worthy: "A beautiful antique mirror. They are relatively affordable as far as antiques go and lend great charm and history to even the starkest or most modern space. A good one will hold its value and transfer easily from house to house or room to room."

On themed kid's rooms: "For a child, I would avoid this route for several reasons. First, it will quickly become outdated. Your 6-year-old will throw a fit to get rid of that Barney scheme she so desperately wanted at three. Second, it is limiting to your child's imagination. Why pigeonhole them as a princess when they might feel like an explorer, scientist or aviator some days? And last, it's just not aesthetically pleasing to me."